Omaha Events & Things to Do the Week of April 16, 2026 — Tulips, New Restaurants & City News

Spring is in full swing in Omaha, and this week's edition is loaded with good stuff — from a flower farm drawing huge crowds to big changes coming to your curb.

Here's what's inside:

Let's get into it.

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🌷 Valley farm draws thousands to pick-your-own tulip fields Nelson Produce & Farm in Valley, Nebraska has become an unlikely tulip destination, drawing nearly 3,500 visitors in a single Sunday. New this year is a pick-your-own section inspired by Dutch flower fields. Owner Pam Nelson says nearly 20,000 visitors came last season, and the farm also grows sunflowers and watermelons through the summer months.

♻️ Omaha's first curbside composting service launches next week Omaha's very first curbside composting program kicks off next week through Hillside Solutions, starting in City Council Districts 1 and 3. The $35/month service covers fee assistance for households who can't afford it, and food scraps get turned into fertilizer at local farms. Not in the launch zone? Sign up online to request your neighborhood be added next.

📚 Nebraska schools wrestle over when it's OK to suspend a 5-year-old Nebraska banned most pre-K through 2nd grade suspensions in 2023, but a 2025 update brought them back for "violent behavior" — language critics say is dangerously vague. A new report on early childhood discipline finds Black students face double the suspension rates of peers and calls for more school counselors and trauma-informed teacher training statewide.

The commercial real estate playbook is being rewritten—and Brightway Commercial's expertise is where businesses are putting their trust for measurable savings. The company specializes in tenant representation, investment sales, and strategic consulting that protects your bottom line.

Why smart businesses choose Brightway:

🏟️ Union Omaha Wants a Downtown Stadium — But the City Tapped the Brakes
Omaha could get a brand-new 6,500-seat soccer stadium near 11th and Izard Streets. The city would own it and lease it to Union Omaha. Nearly $48 million in tax financing would help pay for it, plus apartments, restaurants, and shops nearby. Most speakers were on board — but the City Council voted 5-2 to delay the decision to April 14. Not everyone's willing to wait.

🏨 Old Disbrow Building Could Soon Be a Boutique Hotel — With $14M in City Help
A developer wants to turn the historic Disbrow Building near 12th and Nicholas into a 140-room boutique hotel, complete with a restaurant, bar, and ballroom. The city would back the project with $14.4 million in tax support through two special programs. Sounds like a win for downtown — but at least one person already filed a letter opposing the deal. A public hearing is set for April 14.

🚲 Omaha's Bike-Share Program Has a New Name — and a New City Deal in the Works
Remember Heartland B-Cycle? It's now called ROAM Share dba Heartland Bike Share, and the city is reworking its agreement with them. The updated deal covers how the bike-share program runs across Omaha for years to come. Dollar amounts haven't been made public yet. A final vote is expected April 21. If you've ever grabbed a B-Cycle, this deal affects where stations go and how the whole system works.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

Wingstop touched down in Council Bluffs, opening in an end-cap bay at 3120 Manawa Centre Drive in the Manawa Power Centre, southeast of I-80 & South Expressway. The fast-casual wing spot now has 11 locations across the Omaha metro area.

Jerk Makin Shack is a new food truck bringing authentic Jamaican flavors to the metro — think jerk chicken, jerk pork, oxtails, beef patties and coco bread. Locally owned by Shava Jackson, the truck plans to launch this month and will pop up at events, food truck gatherings, and private catering gigs throughout the area.

Bobo's Noodles and Dumplings has set up shop at 812 North 14th Street, taking over the former Session Room space inside 1415 @ The Yard Apartments. The new spot comes from the same owners as Blue Hawaii, and they're currently in a soft-opening phase through April 21 with 20% off all orders — a good reason to check it out soon.

Ben's Soft Pretzels is heading to the Omaha area. Local franchisees Benjamin and Melissa Gaul are launching a Ben's trailer on May 8th, based out of Gretna with plans to serve Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The brand is known for its oversized, Amish-inspired soft pretzels and already has a presence locally inside Vala's Pumpkin Patch.

Pastime Neighborhood Bar and Grill has opened at 5059 South 108th Street, sliding into the space previously occupied by Therapy Bar & Grill near 108th and Q. The bar keeps things lively with karaoke, music bingo, live acoustic music, DJ nights, pool and darts. The kitchen runs daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mondo Dogs is your new late-night option downtown — the pop-up restaurant operates out of the Dandelion Pop-Up on the northwest corner of 13th & Howard Street. It's a concession-style setup serving quick eats on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Wing It On! is bringing fresh, never-frozen wings and chicken sandwiches to Harvey Oak Plaza, northwest of 144th & West Center Road — its first Nebraska location. Local franchisee Bill Anderson signed on to open three Nebraska spots, and with over 20 sauce options, there's a lot to look forward to. The East Coast-based chain currently has its closest location in Chicago.

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille is coming to west Omaha. The Houston-based prime steakhouse chain has filed a building permit for a 12,000 sq. ft. free-standing location in the Avenue One Goodlife District, southeast of 192nd & West Dodge Road at 310 North 191st Street. Opening is slated for summer 2027 — it's a ways out, but the 23-location chain is worth the wait.

Q: Sumner Street in Lincoln is where you can find the home (and maybe a monogramed welcome mat showing the initials “WJB”) of what politician who ran against William McKinley twice and Theodore Roosevelt once as the Democratic nominee in three U.S. presidential elections?

(Answer below.)

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A: William Jennings Bryan